Schumacher introduces app with designer-friendly features

Schumacher introduces app with designer-friendly features

May 5, 2016

A quick, multiple-filter search; QR scan technology for checking product details and availability as well as placing orders; and easily accessible pricing details…the new Schumacher app is equipped with a number of features included with designers in mind. Aaron Buckland, digital project manager, who oversaw the app’s development, says developing it “wasn’t a question of whether or not we should create a powerful, dynamic app, but how quickly we could get it into designers’ hands.” She shares the ins and outs of the new digital product.

How did Schumacher decide to create an app? Did you receive requests from designers?
We’ve received loads of comments from designers about wanting a better way to find exactly what they’re looking for in a sea of diverse products. Our new app solves this problem. In an increasingly mobile world, designers need tools and resources that will allow them to excel in their field while they are constantly on the go. There was nothing like this yet in our industry, and we realized that it was crucial for us to fill this gap. Providing the best service in the business is one of Schumacher’s driving passions and commitments.

What functionality was particularly significant to include in an app like this?
We wanted designers to be able to search our entire portfolio in a meaningful way, and have it happen in seconds. So a robust search function was key. We worked tirelessly to develop a state-of-the-art filter function that allows designers to do everything from browse the entire portfolio to search in an extremely focused way. If you want to take a look at every single woven in our catalogue, you can do that. If you’re looking for a large-scale floral print on a cotton ground for under $70 per yard, you can find that too, and get search results in seconds. This intensely comprehensive filter and search feature has also just been rolled out on our website.

We’re also extremely excited about the app’s QR scanner technology. This allows designers to scan the QR code on our memos, showroom sampling, and, moving forward, any SKU in our books, and instantly call up all the information—pricing, performance and durability, stock availability, you name it. Then with just a few taps, designers can request memos and CFAs, reserve yardage and place orders, plus reference any of their past orders placed on our website or app. If you see something you love and want to remember it for later, you can save it to your Schumacher favorites catalog and reference it later via the app or our website.

What is the most compelling part of the app, from a designer’s perspective?
We know that designers are constantly on the go. For us, it was critical to give them a tool that is not only beautiful but also incredibly hardworking. Using the app is intuitive and feels familiar, yet it also gives designers an entirely new way to shop. It’s a groundbreaking resource, and we couldn’t be more thrilled about bringing it to the interior design community.

It’s also an incredibly powerful tool for our sales team, and will help them give our clients even better service. We are constantly pushing ourselves to bring the most inspiration and the highest-quality service possible to our customers. We don’t just want to provide top-notch service, we want to partner with designers to help them create beautiful and livable rooms, and win with their clients. This new app is a hands-on tool and a tremendous opportunity for us to enhance this partnership, and make sure we are always raising the bar to give them the best of the best.